Watching and Waiting: Ministry in the Time of Wildfires
/Rt. Rev. David Lehmann, Bishop of Caledonia
Feeling powerless and unable to help in times of crisis is difficult. TV and social media present tragedies instantly, and without ceasing. These can be in farther places, like Morocco, or closer to home, like Lytton or the Northwest Territories. Waiting to see the next update–to know how this real-time story will unfold as the fast-forward button doesn’t work– is challenging. Listening to people comment on the heartbreak can be equally unpleasant. One of the drawbacks to all our connectivity is a lack of room to reflect and to see wisdom.
I was raised in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and I was the rector of the parish there. My family has been part of the community for nearly fifty years, so when the wildfires threatened the community this summer, it was not the first time I had experienced something like this. Memories of the near evacuation in the mid-1980s came to mind, as well as the preparations for an evacuation in 2016. The boreal forest is renewed through fire, and it is a natural process. A truth that we forget and try to prevent. It is not possible to fire-smart all of Canada’s forests, but being prepared is an annual tradition.
Taking a step back from the coverage and anxiety of watching family evacuate twice, first to Yellowknife and then to the Edmonton area, left me waiting on news and the Lord. As the weather cools and I look ahead to Advent, I think about watching and waiting as themes of the upcoming season. They are part of our spiritual disciplines and practices, and they undoubtedly come with an expectation that when the watching and waiting are over, we will always have a positive result.
These disasters feel like the end of times, and they sadly do not always have a positive outcome. While the community of Enterprise and parts of Hay River were lost, at the time of writing this article Yellowknife and Fort Smith have been spared. The watching and waiting we practice in our spiritual lives is also complicated: we wait for the end of life as we know it, but we are also waiting for Christ’s return.
The ultimate question remains: When will Jesus come again? As we watch and wait for His return, we are called to prepare. Just as communities and homes are fire-smarted, we too are called to prepare our lives–making straight the paths of hearts, and caring for our neighbours as we would want to be cared for. I witnessed glimpses of this for my family in the evacuation. I pray that as I watch and watch, I too may be prepared for the stresses of life, and for Christ’s glorious return.
Thank You Letters: Bishop Michael Hawkins
Rt. Rev. David Lehmann, Bishop of Caledonia
The pandemic has had many costs to it: A suspension of normal routines was one, but the effect on personal health and wellbeing was immense, and will continue to be going forward. For the Diocese of Saskatchewan, part of that cost was the retirement of their Bishop Michael Hawkins. Bishop Michael suffered greatly from COVID-19, and though we are blessed to have him still with us, his formal episcopal ministry has concluded early due to his infection.
I first met Bishop Michael at a Council of the North meeting. He had graciously called me prior to that meeting and extended a virtual hand of friendship and comradery. As I remember those interactions, it was his warmth, kindness, and wisdom that stood out for me. His leadership in the Council of the North was a blessing. Bishop Michael earnestly wanted to serve Christ, His church, and the people of Canada’s north.
His support of the Rough Riders led to many questionable fashion statements, but did not underline his care for the people of Saskatchewan and their passions outside the church. (As an Elks fan I would postulate that the CFL is a great place to foster a deep prayer life!)
As I have said to Bishop Michael in private, I say publicly, thank you for being an incredible servant of Christ. Thank you for your deep commitment to the faith, to the people of Saskatchewan, and to the members of the Council of the North. Thank you for being the child of God that you are. And of course, “Go Riders!”